State looks to commit Rock County man for sex offenses

JANESVILLE—The state Department of Justice hopes to commit a Rock County sex offender for treatment rather than releasing him after his prison sentence ended this week, according to a news release.

Richard A. Isabell, 53, was convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child in Rock County more than 20 years ago, authorities said. After his probation was revoked in 2003, Isabell was sentenced to prison time and was to be released Tuesday, according to the state Department of Justice.

Instead of releasing him, however, the Department of Justice has filed a petition claiming Isabell is a sexually violent person, authorities said, and asking to commit him to the custody of the Department of Health Services for treatment.

Isabell is being held at a DHS facility as a judge reviews the state's case, according to the release.